Cheteshwar Pujara will be remembered as one of India's finest batters in Test cricket. His calmness under pressure and temperament could help him become
a successful coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While he might not have produced too many notable performances in T20 cricket, Pujara's understanding of the game could prove to be beneficial for him in guiding youngsters in the side.
Pujara's knowledge of Indian conditions and different surfaces across the country could help him provide his players with important information ahead of matches. The right-handed batter was known for being one of the hardest-working players in the Indian Test team. He will demand the same level of hard work from his players, and this will bode well for the team he coaches.
Pujara has also captained domestic teams and mentored young players. This will stand him in good stead while coaching teams in the cash-rich league.
3 franchises that can hire Cheteshwar Pujara as head coach for IPL 2026
3. Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed Rahul Dravid as their head coach last year after his contract with India ended. The former India skipper signed a multi-year deal, but after IPL 2025, he declined to take a broader position and parted ways with the inaugural champions.
Now, the Royals are looking for a new head coach. There is always an option to bring Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara back in the head coach's role. However, if they want to bring someone new into the fold, then Pujara could be a good pick. The 37-year-old made the No. 3 spot in India's Test team his own after Dravid's retirement. He could fill the boots of Dravid once again, this time as head coach. There are a lot of talented young batters in the RR setup. Pujara could help them hone their skills and work on their temperament as well.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) parted ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit after IPL 2025. He could be replaced by Pujara ahead of next season. KKR are known for giving its players and support staff a lot of backing. If they can give Pujara some time to ease into the head coach role, he could make magic happen with the three-time champions.
The likes of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are in the twilight phase of their careers. When their journey with KKR comes to an end, the team will go through a transition phase. Pujara could be the perfect man to steer them through that tricky phase.
1. Chennai Super Kings
Pujara's last IPL team as a player was Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While the Men in Yellow went on to lift the title for the fourth time, the right-handed batter did nOt get a game. However, he will have a decent idea about the franchise, especially regarding how it operates.
Stephen Fleming has coached the franchise since the second season of the tournament. However, the five-time champions failed to reach the playoffs in the last two editions. If CSK look for a replacement, Pujara could be the man who could bring their glory days back. Chennai love to play on spin-friendly pitches. Pujara's experience of batting on such surfaces will help the players immensely.
